Cardiff Budget Guide: What to Expect and How to Save Money
Cardiff, the capital and largest city in Wales, is a melting pot of culture, nightlife and history, from its castle to its bay and surrounding beaches. Despite its cultural attractions, Cardiff can be quite expensive, especially in the centre of the city. If you know where to look, Cardiff can be an extremely affordable city, especially compared to other UK locations. Let’s take a look at the breakdown of Cardiff’s costs and how you can save money.
A Breakdown of Average Travel Costs in Cardiff
How Much Do Things Cost in Cardiff
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Eating Out | £5-£15 per meal |
| Buses | Single: £2.30 Day ticket: £4-£5 |
| Coffee | £2-£3.50 |
| Alcohol | Wine: Bottle: £7-£10 Small Glass: £3-£5 Beer: Pint: £4.50 Bottle: £3.50-£4.50 |
| Accommodation | Budget hotel: £40-£80 per night Mid-range hotel: £100-£170 p/n |
| Attractions | Cardiff Castle: Adults - £15 Child - £10 Principality Stadium: Prices depend on the event National Museum Cardiff: Free entry |
Where to Stay in Cardiff on a Budget
Cardiff has its fair share of mid-range and budget hotels such as Holiday Inn Express, Cardiff Marriott, and Radisson Blu Hotel, as well as more luxury and upscale hotels like the Hilton and the Vale Resort. Depending on where in the city you choose to stay, you can find cheap and budget-friendly accommodation in numerous forms. The cheapest forms of accommodation in Cardiff include:
Budget Hotels: Budget Hotels offer the same level of comfort and convenience but for a cheaper price. Usually, a city will offer a range of hotels with varying prices–this is the case for Cardiff. At budget hotels, you can usually expect and find the same amenities and essentials, only in the absence of luxury amenities such as pools and spas. Budget hotels tend to be a popular choice for families or friends who are traveling–check out the Holiday Inn and Ibis Budget Hotel.
Boutique Hotels: Boutique hotels tend to be hotels that offer a more personal and intimate service and may feature unique services and trendy decor. Boutique hotels tend to be cheaper than regular hotels, so they are a great option for those on a budget. Check out the Parkgate Hotel and VOCO St. Davids for some premium yet affordable boutique hotels.
Cardiff Bay: A popular area of the city, Cardiff Bay sees waterfront attractions, entertainment, and restaurants, as well as hotels. Cardiff Bay tends to be cheaper than Cardiff’s city centre, meaning that if you are looking for a cheaper area to stay, this is your best bet. Try Holiday Inn Express Cardiff Bay and Future Inns Cardiff Bay hotels.
Airport Hotels: If traveling into or out of Cardiff from Cardiff Airport, think about staying at an airport hotel. Airport hotels are known for being cheap and good value for money, as you more often than not receive breakfast, essential amenities and onsite parking. Some of the best airport hotels at Cardiff Airport include the Celtic International Hotel and Holiday Inn Express Cardiff Airport.
The Best Options for Finding Affordable Accommodation in Cardiff
Popular suburbs of Cardiff include Roath, City Centre, Cardiff Bay, and Llandaff North; however, as these suburbs are small, most hotels tend to be in the center and the bay area of Cardiff. Stick to areas like Cardiff Bay and hotels outside of the city center for cheaper options. Hotels that are specifically budget hotels, such as Holiday Inn Express, Ibis Budget, and easyHotel, are good options too–although these hotels won’t have pools or luxury amenities, you can expect comfort and convenience with each hotel.
Barry Island: Barry Island is a popular beachside town just 30 minutes from Cardiff–you can find regular buses to and from the island for a cheap price. Hotel and living prices may be cheaper here, given the smaller size, but this island also has expensive accommodation options.
What to Expect from Staying in Cardiff and How to Book a Cheap Room
Here are our recommended tips and trips on where to stay in Cardiff for an affordable price. A cheaper hotel doesn’t mean you have to compromise on quality–most of the hotels in Cardiff feature high-quality, convenient, and modern amenities that provide you with everything you need. Some hotels and resorts also offer package deals. However, these are more synonymous with beachside hotels.
Book in Advance: Booking in advance of your travel dates and find the cheapest hotels. If you leave it to the last minute, you may find the hotel you want is sold out or the rates have increased. Times of the year like Christmas and summer may see more tourists–plus, as Wales is proud of and very into sports, ahead of a big football or rugby match you might find hotels busier than normal too. Be wary of these times of year, and stay organized.
Travel at different times of the year: Summer and winter are busy times of year in Cardiff–Cardiff Bay comes alive with waterfront attractions, and the city center is busy with Christmas Markets and Winter Wonderland. Because of this, try to avoid visiting Cardiff during these times–if you have to travel during these times, remain organized, opt for alternative accommodation types, and book in advance.
See regular updates: Some hotels may offer membership schemes or discounts at certain times of the year or ahead of certain events. Also, check out the Enjoy Travel newsletter for exclusive deals and discounts.
How to Get Around Cardiff Easily and Cheaply
Cardiff has a very efficient transport system, with train stations in Cardiff Bay, the city center, and into the center from surrounding suburbs; buses, and coaches to numerous destinations. Cardiff’s layout makes it a very accessible and walkable city, as it is compact and easy to navigate. You can also enjoy biking and hiking in the city. Here are the best ways to get around the city:
- Cardiff has buses from most surrounding suburbs: As the city has two universities and is very student-heavy, there are lots of convenient ways to get around. Buses are cheap and convenient.
- The city is very walkable too: The main streets are long and often connected, making them very convenient. Cardiff Bay is within walking distance from the main center too.
- Cardiff’s main train station: Will take you to numerous places across the UK. You can also catch a local train from Cardiff Bay into the city center or surrounding areas, and Llandaff North to the center.
How to Eat Well in Cardiff Without Spending a Fortune
Choose kebab or chip shops: Cardiff has a couple of streets colloquially named ‘chippy alley,’ where you can find kebab, takeaway, and chip shops–these are popular in the UK and prices are usually cheaper than restaurants. You can find meal deals here too, which are usually better value for money than individual meals. While it’s inadvisable to eat at places like these every day, if you need a cheap and easy meal, these places are perfect.
Visit Cardiff Market: Cardiff Market is full of vendors selling goods at varying prices. If you’re looking for a snack, or meal or want to cook your own food, you can expect to find fresh produce at an affordable price.
Our Top Picks for Free and Cheap Activities in Cardiff
Cardiff has numerous places to visit that are cheap and free–check them out here.
National Museum Cardiff: Entry here is free, and you can enjoy looking at art, and exhibits and finding out information about numerous artefacts here. The museum is also in a central location making it easily accessible.
Cardiff Castle: Cardiff Castle is one of the city’s top attractions, and tickets are cheap and affordable. Adults can expect to pay around £15 for a ticket, and children can expect their tickets to cost
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Tourist Board Info For Cardiff
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